Magnetic catch



June 20, 1967 E. F. REISS 3,326,587

MAGNETIC CATCH Filed Feb. 10, 1965 INVENTOR. EDMUND F. REISS ATTOR NEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,326,587 Patented June 20, 1967 3326.587 MAGNETIC (ZATCH Edmund F. Reiss, New Britain, Conn, assignor to The Stanley Works, New Britain, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Filed Feb. 10, 1965, Ser. No. 431,526 Claims. (Cl. 292251.5)

The present invention relates to magnetic catches and more particularly to a new and improved magnetic catch assembly adapted for use on cabinet doors and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved magnetic catch assembly adapted for self-orientation about a plurality of perpendicularly disposed axes thereby affording the greatest holding power irrespective of misalignment or other variations between members to which it is secured.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic catch exhibiting high flexibility of operation yet is of sufficiently simple construction to permit rapid and facile installation thereof without requiring exactitude and precision in determining its mounted position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic catch which can be readily fabricated and easily assembled in a manner which guarantees proper polarity thereof, yet is sturdily constructed and sufficiently versatile to be utilized on heavy-duty structures such as room doors and the like.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of the application which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view partially broken away of the magnetic catch of the present invention mounted in an operative position;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, slightly enlarged, of the magnet assembly and housing of the catch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a slightly enlarged perspective view of the striker plate of FIG. 1 showing the rear face thereof; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the striker plate and support of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail wherein like referenced characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a magnetic catch embodying the present invention and comprising a magnet unit, generally designated 19, firmly holding under its magnetic influence a striker plate or keeper 12. It will be appreciated that although the present invention is conducive to other types of installation, the embodiment chosen for illustrative purposes will be described with respect to its use in wall cabinets or the like. In such installations the magnet unit is generally secured to a shelf 14 or similar portion of the cabinet while the striker plate 12 is mounted on the cabinet door 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 the magnet unit It generally comprises housing 20 receivably enclosing the multiplayer or sandwichlike magnet assembly 18 which is retained therein by suitable means such as the pin 22. The housing 20 consists of an elongated generally rectangular base plate 24 and an integral canopy portion 26 extending outwardly therefrom. The base plate 24 is provided with a pair of apertures 28 adjacent the longitudinal ends thereof for mounting the housing 29 by means of screws 30 on a suitable support such as the cabinet shelf 14. Midway between apertures 28 there is further provided a rearwardly or transversely extending raised portion or shelf 32 on which rests the assembly 18, the shelf 32 further containing an aperture 34 therein adapted to receive the pin 22 and its associated retaining sleeve or bushing 36 for holding the assembly within the housing.

Enclosing the apertured shelf 32 of the base plate and extending upwardly therefrom so as to form the enclosure for the magnet assembly 18 is the canopy portion 26 of the housing 20 provided with the side opening 38 through which the assembly 18 outwardly extends. The boxlike canopy portion 26 is generally rectangular in configuration but smaller in size than the base plate 24 so that the three sides 49 of the canopy intersect and join the base plate 24 inwardly of the rear edge 42 and apertures 28 thereof. As best shown in FIG. 2, the canopy 26 is also preferably provided with a top portion 44 in which is located a central aperture 46 aligned with and of substantially the same size as the aperture 34 of the base plate 24. Thus, the housing 20 is adapted to receive and confiningly retain the magnet assembly 18, the housing being preferably formed from nonmagnetic materials, for example, aluminum or plastic such as medium-impact polystyrene.

In the embodiment chosen for illustrative purposes the multilayer assembly 18 comprises a pair of identical magnet plates 48 of generally rectangular configuration and formed so that the north and south poles are located at opposite faces 50, 52, respectively, of each plate. It is an advantage of the present invention that these faces are readily distinguishable thereby assuring correct and rapid assembly of the multilayer structure. As shown, the face 56' of the plate 48 is generally fiat and completely free of any irrregularities except the central mounting aperture 54 while the opposite or second face 52 is provided with a narrow longitudinal groove 56 of generally rectangular cross section extending transversely across plate 48 parallel to the rear edge 58 thereof. The groove 56 is located adjacent but rearwardly of the central aperture 54 which has a diameter of substantially the same size as the shaft 59 of the pin 22. Thus, like poles on each magnet are clearly observable during the assembly of the magnetic sandwich structure thereby obviating the testing or inadvertent improper orientation thereof.

The magnet plates 48 are formed of permanent magnetic materials and, although it is believed that any available permanent magnetic material may be used for this purpose, it has been found that maximum holding power is obtained from the well-known Alnico permanent magnets or the so-called rubber magnets which are believed to be a mixture of magnetic metal oxides in a moldable carrier material. The magnet plate as mentioned hereinbefore is formed so that the north and south poles of the magnet are located on opposite upper and lower faces thereof.

As shown, a central pole plate 60 is positioned between the magnet plates 48, the pole plate 60 being generally rectangular in configuration and exhibiting a pair of smooth fiat faces 62, 6-4 which in assembled relationship are in intimate contact with the fiat faces 50 of each magnet plate 48. The central pole plate 60 is essentially coterminous on three sides wtih the magnet plates 48 and is provided with a central aperture 66 having essentially the same diameter as central aperture 54 of the magnet plates 48. The plate 60, however, is of greater width than the magnets 48 so that when assembled its front pole face 68 thereof extends outwardly beyond the front edge 70 of the magnet plates 48 as indicated by the dotted line 72 of FIG. 2 and as best shown in FIG. 3.

Located adjacent the grooved face 52 of the permanent magnet plates 48 are a pair of thin, identical, terminal pole plates 74 of generally rectangular configuration. The pole plates 74 are provided with a central aperture 76 and a pair of inwardly extending flanges 78 on opposite sides thereof positioned so as to be received within the elongated grooves 56 of the magnet plates 48 and cooperate therewith in preventing relative movement between the terminal pole plates 74 and the magnet plates 48. In a manner similar to central pole plate 60 the ter- 7,

minal poles 74 are coterminous with the magnets 48 along three sides thereof but are provided with a flat pole face 80 which extends outwardly beyond the front edge 70 of the magnets. As will be appreciated, all of the pole plates are formed of material such as soft steel which is capable of carrying a magnetic flux.

The magnet assembly 18 is dimensioned so that upon insertion and positioning within the housing 20 by the pin 22 it not only extends outwardly through the side opening 38 but also provides a clearance or pivot space between its rear edge and the rear wall 40 of the housing, as shown in FIG. 3, as well as between its sides and the side walls 40 of the canopy, as best shown in FIG; 1. As will be appreciated, the multilayer magnet assembly 18, comprising the magnet plates 48 and the pole plates 60 and 74, is preferably assembled prior to being located in the housing. Upon insertion through the opening 38 of the housing 20 the assembly rests on the shelf 32 of base plate 24 and is secured within the housing by means of pin 22. During assemblage the pin 22 passses downwardly first through the aperture 46 of the canopy 26, then through the aligned apertures 76, 54 and 66 of the magnet assembly and finally into the aperture 34 of the base plate 24. The head 82 of the pin 22 rests upon the outer surface of the canopys top portion 44 while the annular collar 84, abutting the head 82 and being of slightly greater diameter than the pin shank 59, passes through the aperture 46 and presses downwardly against the uppermost terminal pole plate 74. The bushing 36 is then inserted through the lower aperture 34 of the base plate 24 and securely holds the free end of pin shank 59. As best shown in FIG. 3, the bushing 36 is further provided with an annular outwardly extending terminal flange 86 which abuts the lower surface of raised shelf portion 32 and is retained in intimate contact therewith so as not to protrude below the lower surface of base plate 24.

The magnet assembly 18, although snugly held within the confines of the housing 20, is permitted to pivot or oscillate to a limited extent about the axis of pin 22 due to the free space provided between the walls 40 and the edges of the magnet assembly. Although the terminal pole plates are adapted for movement in cooperation with their adjacent magnet plates, the smooth fiat central pole plate 60 may slideably rotate independently of the magnets and pole plates located on either side thereof. Thus, as will be appreciated, each pole plate is free to rotate completely independently of the movement of each of the other pole plates of the assembly.

The keeper or striker plate 12 of the magnetic catch, as mentioned hereinbefore, is attracted to and held by the unit 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, striker plate 12 is a generally rectangular flat metal plate of substantially greater length and width than the side opening 38 of housing 20. The plate 12 is provided with a generally flat smooth front surface 88 adapted to contact the protruding pole faces 68, 80 of the respective pole plates 60, 74, and a generally flat rear surface 90 possessing a pair of convex protrusions 92 located on the longitudinal midl-ine 94 of the plate but adjacent the opposite longitudinal ends thereof. As best shown in FIG. 1, the striker plate 12 is of sufficient length so that the protrusions 92 on the rear face thereof are located at points outwardly from the pole-contacting medial portion thereof. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the plate 12 is provided with apertures 96 which extend through the center of each convex protrusion 92 and facilitate the mounting of the plate on the cabinet door by means of nails 98. The apertures 96 are provided with counterbores 100 of slightly greater depth than the thickness of the nail head 102. Thus, it will be appreciated that the striker plate 12 may be mounted on a cabinet door 16 and secured thereto by means of the nail 98, yet, because the nail head 102 does not bottom within the counterbore 100, the striker plate is free to oscillate or pivot about an axis located-along the longitudinal midline 94 of the plate. Additionally, as is apparent from FIG. 1, the pivotal axis of the striker plate 12 is generally perpendicular to the pin 22 and falls within a plane which is parallel to the pole plates and intersects the pin at a right angle thereto. More particularly, in the embodiment chosen for illustrative purposes the pivotal axis of the striker plate 12 falls within the same plane as the central pole plate 60.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the present invention provides a magnetic catch comprising a multilayer magnet assembly in which a plurality of pole plates extend outwardly through a side opening in the catch housing and are capable of independent rotational movement about their retaining pin. At the same time, there is provided a striker plate which is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the retaining pin. In this manner there is effectuated a complex bidirectional movement which permits full contact between the striker plate and the poles of the magnet, this in turn assuring full holding power irrespective of the alignment of the cabinet door with the magnetic catch assembly. Finally, the magnet is provided with a structural arrangement which permits visual identification of the pole faces thus facilitating a rapid assembly of the catch while obviating the need of precise location of the magnetic catch on the cabinet.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the structure abovedescribed will become readily apparent without departure from the spirit and'scope of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a magnetic catch comprising a striker plate and a magnet assembly, the combination of a multilayer magnet assembly comprising at least a pair of spaced pole plates and a permanent magnet sandwiched therebetween, said pole plates being adapted for relative rotational movement about an axis; said magnet having a north and south pole on opposite faces thereof and a transverse groove across one of said faces, the pole plate adjacent said grooved face having a portion thereof extending into said groove to prevent relative movement therebetween while facilitating independent relative movement between said pole plates; a support mounting the magnet assembly and limiting rotational movement thereof; and a striker plate adapted for rotational movement about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the pole plates.

2. In a magnetic catch comprising a striker plate and a magnet assembly, the combination of a multilayer magnet assembly comprising at least a pair of spaced parallel pole plates and a generally fiat permanent magnet sandwiched therebetween; a retaining pin extending transversely through said assembly and facilitating independent rotational movement of said pole plates about the pin; said magnet having a north and south pole on opposite faces thereof and a transverse groove across one of said faces, the pole plate adjacent said grooved face having a portion thereof extending into said groove to prevent relative movement therebetween while facilitating independent relative movement between said pole plates; a housing member confining the magnet assembly and limiting rotational movement of said pole plates, said housing having a side opening through which portions of said plates outwardly extend; and a generally rectangular striker plate having a rear surface provided with means adapted to cause limited rotational movement of the striker plate about an axis thereof perpendicular to said pin.

3. In a magnetic catch comprising a striker plate and a magnet assembly, the combination of a multilayer magnet assembly comprising at least a pair of spaced parallel pole plates and a generally flat permanent magnet sandwiched therebetween; a retaining pin extending transversely through said assembly and facilitating independent rotational movement of said pole plates about the pin; said magnet having a north and south pole on opposite faces thereof and a transverse groove across one of said faces, the pole plate adjacent said grooved face having a portion thereof extending into said groove to prevent relative movement therebetween while facilitating independent relative movement between said pole plates; a housing member confining the magnet assembly and limiting rotational movement of said pole plates, said housing having a side opening through which portions of said plates outwardly extend; and a generally rectangular striker plate having a generally flat rear surface provided with at least one protruding portion which facilitates limited rotational movement of the striker plate thereabout.

4. In a magnetic catch comprising a striker plate and a magnet assembly, the combination of a multilayer magnet assembly comprising three parallel pole plates spaced by a pair of generally flat permanent magnets sandwiched therebetween, one of said magnets having a north and south pole on opposite faces thereof and a transverse groove across one of said faces, the pole plate adjacent said grooved face having a portion thereof extending into said groove to prevent relative movement therebetween while facilitating independent relative movement between said pole plates; a retaining pin extending transversely through said magnet assembly and facilitating independent rotational movement of said pole plates about the pin; a housing member confining the magnet assembly and limiting rotational movement of said pole plates, said housing having a side opening through which portions of said plates outwardly extend; and a generally rectangular striker plate having a generally flat rear surface provided with at least one protruding portion which facilitates limited rotational movement of the striker plate there about, said protruding portion lying in a plane disposed perpendicular to the axis of said retaining pin.

5. In a magnetic catch comprising a striker plate and a magnet assembly, the combination of a multilayer magnet assembly comprising three parallel pole plates spaced by a pair of generally flat permanent magnets sandwiched therebetween, each of said magnets having north and south poles on opposite faces thereof and a transverse groove across one of said faces, the pole plate adjacent said grooved face having a portion thereof extending into said groove to prevent relative movement therebetween while facilitating independent relative movement between said pole plates; a retaining pin extending transversely through said magnet assembly and facilitating rotational movement of said pole plates about the pin; a housing member containing the magnet assembly and limiting rotational movement of said pole plates, said housing having a side opening through which portions of said plates outwardly extend; and a generally rectangular striker plate having at least a pair of counter-bored apertures therein, said counterbores being adjacent the surface of said striker contacting said pole plates and being deeper than the head thickness of a retaining member extending through the aperture, said striker plate having a generally flat rear surface provided with a protruding convex area adjacent each aperture facilitating limited oscillatory movement of said striker plate thereabout.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,514,927 7/ 1950 Bernhard 292-25 1.5 2,950,140 8/1960 Stone 292-2515 2,987,338 6/1961 Anderson 292251.5 3,003,802 10/ 1961 Wilson 292251.5 3,078,114 2/ 1963 Ahlgren 292-25 1.5 3,151,902 10/ 1964 Ahlgren 29 225 1.5 3,186,748 6/ 1965 Foltz 292-25 1.5 3,235,302 2/ 1966 Benson 29-2-2515 MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner. 

1. IN A MAGNETIC CATCH COMPRISING A STRIKER PLATE AND A MAGNET ASSEMBLY, THE COMBINATION OF A MULTILAYER MAGNET ASSEMBLY COMPRISING AT LEAST A PAIR OF SPACED POLE PLATES AND A PERMANENT MAGNET SANDWICHED THEREBETWEEN, SAID POLE PLATES BEING ADAPTED FOR RELATIVE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT ABOUT AN AXIS; SAID MAGNET HAVING A NORTH AND SOUTH POLE ON OPPOSITE FACES THEREOF AND A TRANSVERSE GROOVE ACROSS ONE OF SAID FACES, THE POLE PLATE ADJACENT SAID GROOVED FACE HAVING A PORTION THEREOF EXTENDING INTO SAID GROOVE TO PREVENT RELATIVE MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN WHILE FACILITATING INDEPENDENT RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN SAID POLE PLATES; A SUPPORT MOUNTING THE MAGNET ASSEMBLY AND LIMITING ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT THEREOF; AND A STRIKER PLATE ADAPTED FOR ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT ABOUT AN AXIS GENERALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE AXIS OF ROTATION OF THE POLE PLATES. 